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Connecting Ipod to my Prius gives incomplete playback

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by gugi, Aug 25, 2007.

  1. gugi

    gugi New Member

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    hi. This is my first post here. I have been trying to connect my Ipod to my 2007 Prius, with a 6 cd changer. I am using the aux jack to do so. Problem is that the sound comes only from the left set of speakers. The dealer today told me that this is a standard problem with ipods since they are mono systems. I am not sure I understood this. My CDs play fine with all the speakers working. So is my Prius sound system at fault somewhere or is this a general problem? If the former, what can I do about it? Many thanks. :(
     
  2. AzDrew

    AzDrew New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gugi @ Aug 25 2007, 07:44 PM) [snapback]502198[/snapback]</div>
    That sounds bogus. ipods are stereo afaik. I've never had such a problem with my connection. I would suspect your cable. Is it possible you have mono minijack connection? You can tell by the absence of an extra ring around the connector (see pictures here) You should still get a mono signal through both speakers though, as least one would think so.

    I'd say try a different cable in case your cable is defective. Try pushing the jack in partway - sometimes you'll get different signals depending on how far in you push the connectors.
     
  3. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(AzDrew @ Aug 26 2007, 01:03 PM) [snapback]502218[/snapback]</div>
    You beat me to it.
     
  4. Vagabond

    Vagabond Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gugi @ Aug 25 2007, 07:44 PM) [snapback]502198[/snapback]</div>

    [​IMG]
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    [​IMG]

    This is what I would be doing to that person who said that to you. That was great. Oh man.....

    Most likely the 3.5mm cable you're using was the mono type, or not fully pushed in so only one channel was making a connection.
     
  5. auricchio

    auricchio Member

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    As they've said, it's almost certainly an incorrect cable.

    When you get it working, go tattoo IDIOT on the dealer's forehead.
     
  6. aaf709

    aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan

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    It could also be the right cable, but defective. Again, a cable issue.
     
  7. JunsGrayPria

    JunsGrayPria New Member

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    I thought something was wrong with my speakers when I first got the car. All the sound was concentrated on the left side. I adjusted the balance between right and left as well as rear and front - this solved the problem. Wondering if this is the case for you? If not, maybe it's the AUX cable? Which one do you have?

    I use the AUX jack also and I have the 6 cd changer. I have no problem hearing on both sides. It's balanced so I don't get what the dealer is talking about. The sound is perfect. It took me awhile to shop for an AUX cord though since I was reading a lot of customer reviews. I highly recommend the AUX cable by iSimple. Best Buy carries it in their stores. It's 3ft long, and I can close the armrest easily. The sound is great. I used to use an FM transmitter (Belkin), and got some static, but not anymore. Also, the volume can go really loud, adjustable with the car's volume control as well as the iPod. The volume was so limited when I used the FM transmitter. I still have it in the car though just in case I need to charge my iPod. Get the cable made by iSimple. It's $20. I hope it works for you as it has worked so nicely for me.

    Some people here use the DICE system, but I decided to just use the AUX input. I'm used to controlling the iPod touchwheel anyway back in my Toyota Highlander days, and I would rather use the money for window tinting for "Pria."





    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gugi @ Aug 25 2007, 09:44 PM) [snapback]502198[/snapback]</div>
     
  8. auricchio

    auricchio Member

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    Actually, that's a good point. The radio remembers tone settings on a per-input basis, thus, for example, you can have different tone settings for CD vs. FM.

    It's very possible it also remembers L/R balance and F/R fader settings too.
     
  9. gugi

    gugi New Member

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    Thanks folks to all of you who have answered. I will try the options and let you know. I did try what AzDrew had suggested-- while retracting the jack part of the way, the sound momentarily came on from both sides, but I could not hold that, despite trying repeatedly. I will look for the iSimple jack.

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JunsGrayPria @ Aug 27 2007, 09:12 PM) [snapback]502964[/snapback]</div>
     
  10. auricchio

    auricchio Member

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    Well, you've proved that the problem is not with the car, it's with the cable.

    There's a very good chance the iPod requires a special plug on its end. Many iPods (and the iPhone) use a four-conductor jack. The plug has a tip, two rings, and the sleeve portion. It looks like a stereo plug with an extra section.

    The plug that attaches to the car's jack is a standard 3.5mm stereo plug, however.
     
  11. auricchio

    auricchio Member

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    Well, you've proved that the problem is not with the car, it's with the cable.

    There's a very good chance the iPod requires a special plug on its end. Many iPods (and the iPhone) use a four-conductor jack. The plug has a tip, two rings, and the sleeve portion. It looks like a stereo plug with an extra section.

    The plug that attaches to the car's jack is a standard 3.5mm stereo plug, however.
     
  12. auricchio

    auricchio Member

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    Well, you've proved that the problem is not with the car, it's with the cable.

    There's a very good chance the iPod requires a special plug on its end. Many iPods (and the iPhone) use a four-conductor jack. The plug has a tip, two rings, and the sleeve portion. It looks like a stereo plug with an extra section.

    The plug that attaches to the car's jack is a standard 3.5mm stereo plug, however.

    Well, you've proved that the problem is not with the car, it's with the cable.

    There's a very good chance the iPod requires a special plug on its end. Many iPods (and the iPhone) use a four-conductor jack. The plug has a tip, two rings, and the sleeve portion. It looks like a stereo plug with an extra section.

    The plug that attaches to the car's jack is a standard 3.5mm stereo plug, however.
     
  13. Vagabond

    Vagabond Active Member

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    No, the iPod does not require any special cables for audio out.
     
  14. a priori

    a priori Canonus Curiosus

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    All you need is a stereo mini-plug dubbing cable. Of course, the places that sell it as a "dubbing" cable probably charge too much. I found one at Radio Shack for about $8, but returned it when I found one at Target for less than $3. I think the only difference will be the volume requirement on the iPod. I'm not certain, but I believe the heavier the cable and the better the insulation, the more you can use the JBL system to amplify the signal (control volume).
     
  15. auricchio

    auricchio Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Vagabond @ Aug 30 2007, 04:05 PM) [snapback]504561[/snapback]</div>
    Sorry. I stand corrected. I was too lazy to check out my daughter's iPod. Or to check Apple's web site, for that matter.

    I now realize why the iPhone has an extra contact: for the microphone that's part of the headphones.
     
  16. Vagabond

    Vagabond Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rick Auricchio @ Aug 30 2007, 07:10 PM) [snapback]504661[/snapback]</div>

    Actually, the video iPod has an extra contact as well, for video output. But you don't need a special cable for audio only.
     
  17. gugi

    gugi New Member

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    OK, am happy to report that the problem is solved, and the issue as many of you said, was the mono connection. AzDrew's link illustrates the stereo connection. When I went to Tweeters and showed them the jack I had earlier, he diagnosed the problem even without my finishing my sentence! So I am a rookie of course, but the Toyota dealer should have known better. They might plead that they are not specialists in audio, but he was not too helpful either.
    Anyway, thanks to all of you. Cheers. :D

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(AzDrew @ Aug 25 2007, 11:33 PM) [snapback]502218[/snapback]</div>